Tensile capacity electrofusion pipeline systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Techniques for implementing a pipeline system that includes a pipe segment and a pipe fitting. The pipe segment includes tubing, which includes an inner barrier layer that defines a pipe bore, a reinforcement layer implemented around the inner barrier layer to define a fluid conduit, and an outer barrier layer implemented around the reinforcement layer, and a tensile clip secured to the tubing such that clip legs of the tensile clip are secured around the reinforcement layer. The pipe fitting includes electrofusion material implemented to define a fitting bore and a tubing cavity in which the tubing is to be secured and a tensile hook partially embedded within the electrofusion material such that a hook bend extends into the tubing cavity, in which the hook bend matingly interlock with a loop end of the tensile clip to facilitate transferring tensile force between the reinforcement layer and the pipe fitting.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to pipeline systems and, moreparticularly, to an electrofusion pipe fitting and one or more pipesegments that may be deployed in a pipeline system.

Pipeline systems are often implemented and/or operated to facilitatetransporting (e.g., conveying) fluid, such as liquid and/or gas, from afluid source to a fluid destination. For example, a pipeline system maybe used to transport one or more hydrocarbons, such as crude oil,petroleum, natural gas, or any combination thereof. Additionally oralternatively, a pipeline system may be used to transport one or moreother types of fluid, such as produced water, fresh water, fracturingfluid, flowback fluid, carbon dioxide, or any combination thereof.

To facilitate transporting fluid, a pipeline system may include one ormore pipe segments in addition to one or more pipe (e.g., midline and/orend) fittings (e.g., connectors), for example, which are used to couplea pipe segment to another pipe segment, to a fluid source, and/or to afluid destination. Generally, a pipe segment includes tubing, whichdefines (e.g., encloses) a pipe bore that provides a primary fluidconveyance (e.g., flow) path through the pipe segment. Morespecifically, the tubing of a pipe segment may be implemented tofacilitate isolating (e.g., insulating) fluid being conveyed within itspipe bore from environmental conditions external to the pipe segment,for example, to reduce the likelihood of the conveyed (e.g., bore) fluidbeing lost to the external environmental conditions and/or the externalenvironmental conditions contaminating the conveyed fluid.

To facilitate improving fluid isolation, in some instances, the tubingof a pipe segment may be implemented with multiple layers. For example,the tubing of a pipe segment may include an inner (e.g., innermost)barrier layer (e.g., liner or sheath) and an outer (e.g., outermost)barrier layer (e.g., shield or sheath) that each run (e.g., span) thelength of the pipe segment. To facilitate improving its tensile strengthand/or its hoop strength, the tubing of the pipe segment mayadditionally include one or more reinforcement layers, which areimplemented between the inner barrier layer and the outer barrier layerusing a solid material that has a higher tensile strength and/or ahigher hoop strength as compared to the solid material that is used toimplement the inner barrier layer and/or the outer barrier layer.

Moreover, in some instances, a pipe fitting may be implemented to besecured to the tubing of a pipe segment using electrofusion techniques.In particular, in such instances, the electrofusion pipe fitting may besecured to the pipe segment tubing at least in part by heating theelectrofusion pipe fitting such that electrofusion material (e.g.,plastic) implemented in the electrofusion pipe fitting bonds withelectrofusion material used to implement the inner barrier layer and/orthe outer barrier layer of the pipe segment tubing. However, at least insome instances, the tensile capacity (e.g., strength) of a bond betweenelectrofusion material may be weaker than the tensile capacity of solidmaterial implemented in one or more reinforcement layers of the pipesegment tubing and, thus, potentially limit the tensile capacity of apipeline system in which the electrofusion pipe fitting and the pipesegment tubing are deployed.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

In one embodiment, a pipeline system includes a pipe segment, whichincludes tubing, in which the tubing includes an inner barrier layerthat defines a pipe bore, a reinforcement layer implemented around theinner barrier layer to define a fluid conduit within the tubing, and anouter barrier layer implemented around the reinforcement layer, and atensile clip secured to the tubing such that clip legs of the tensileclip are secured around the reinforcement layer of the tubing.Additionally, the pipeline system includes a pipe fitting, whichincludes electrofusion material implemented to define a fitting bore anda tubing cavity in which the tubing of the pipe segment is to be securedand a tensile hook partially embedded within the electrofusion materialsuch that a hook bend of the tensile hook extends into the tubingcavity, in which the hook bend of the tensile hook matingly interlockwith a loop end of the tensile clip that is secured to the tubing of thepipe segment to facilitate transferring tensile force between thereinforcement layer of the tubing and the pipe fitting.

In another embodiment, a method of implementing a pipeline systemincludes securing a tensile clip to tubing of a pipe segment thatincludes a reinforcement layer implemented between an inner barrierlayer of the tubing and an outer barrier layer of the tubing at least inpart by inserting clip legs of the tensile clip into corresponding clipopenings in the tubing of the pipe segment and circumferentiallycompressing the tubing of the pipe segment around the clip legs of thetensile clip to enable the clip legs of the tensile clip to grab ontothe reinforcement layer in the tubing of the pipe segment. Additionally,the method includes inserting the tensile clip and the tubing of thepipe segment into a tubing cavity of a pipe fitting that is defined byelectrofusion material of the pipe fitting, in which the pipe fittingincludes a tensile hook that extends out from the electrofusion materialinto the tubing cavity and rotating the pipe fitting relative to thepipe segment such that the tensile hook of the pipe fitting matinglyinterlocks with the tensile clip that is secured to the tubing of thepipe segment to facilitate transferring tensile force between the pipesegment and the pipe fitting using non-electrofusion material.

In another embodiment, an electrofusion pipe fitting includes a tubingcavity in which tubing of a pipe segment is to be secured, in which thetubing cavity is defined using electrofusion material and a tensilehook. The tensile hook includes a hook shaft that is at least partiallyembedded within the electrofusion material of the electrofusion pipefitting and a hook bend that extends out from the hook shaft within thetubing cavity of the electrofusion pipe fitting, in which the hook bendmatingly interlocks with a loop end of a tensile clip that is securedaround one or more reinforcement layers of the tubing of the pipesegment to facilitate transferring tensile force between theelectrofusion pipe fitting and the pipe segment via the tensile clipthat is secured to the tubing of the pipe segment and the tensile hookof the electrofusion pipe fitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of a pipeline system includingpipe segments and pipe fittings (e.g., connectors), in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example of a pipe segment of FIG. 1 thatincludes a pipe bore defined by its tubing as well as fluid conduitsimplemented within an annulus of its tubing, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a portion of the pipesegment of FIG. 2 with a helically shaped fluid conduit implementedwithin the annulus of its tubing, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an axial cross-section profile of an example of a portion ofthe pipeline system of FIG. 1 that includes an electrofusion pipefitting, which is electrically coupled to an electrical power source,and pipe segments, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is an axial cross-section profile of another example of a portionof the pipeline system of FIG. 1 that includes an electrofusion pipefitting with tensile hooks and pipe segments with tensile clips, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example of a tensile clip and a pipesegment of FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example of a tensile clip ofFIG. 5, which includes teeth (e.g., serrations), in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another example of a tensile clip ofFIG. 5, which includes a guide bar, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example of special-purpose deploymentequipment that may be implemented and/or operated to facilitate securinga tensile clip to pipe segment tubing, in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an axial view of an example of the electrofusion pipe fittingof FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an example of a process for implementing a pipeline systemthat includes an electrofusion pipe fitting, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an example of a process for implementing an electrofusionpipe fitting with a tensile hook, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is an example of a process for securing a tensile clip to pipesegment tubing, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below with reference to the figures. As used herein, the term“coupled” or “coupled to” may indicate establishing either a direct orindirect connection and, thus, is not limited to either unless expresslyreferenced as such. The term “set” may refer to one or more items.Wherever possible, like or identical reference numerals are used in thefigures to identify common or the same features. The figures are notnecessarily to scale. In particular, certain features and/or certainviews of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale for purposes ofclarification.

The present disclosure generally relates to pipeline systems that may beimplemented and/or operated to transport (e.g., convey) fluid, such asliquid and/or gas, from a fluid source to a fluid destination.Generally, a pipeline system may include pipe fittings (e.g.,connectors), such as a midline pipe fitting and/or a pipe end fitting,and one or more pipe segments, which each includes tubing that defines(e.g., encloses) a corresponding pipe bore. More specifically, a pipesegment may generally be secured and sealed in one or more pipe fittingsto facilitate fluidly coupling the pipe segment to another pipe segment,a fluid source, and/or a fluid destination. Merely as an illustrativenon-limiting example, a pipeline system may include a first pipe endfitting secured to a first pipe segment to facilitate fluidly couplingthe first pipe segment to the fluid source, a midline pipe fittingsecured between the first pipe segment and a second pipe segment tofacilitate fluidly coupling the first pipe segment to the second pipesegment, and a second pipe end fitting secured to the second pipesegment to facilitate fluidly coupling the second pipe segment to thefluid destination.

In any case, a pipe segment generally includes tubing, which defines(e.g., encloses) a pipe bore that provides a primary fluid conveyance(e.g., flow) path through the pipe segment. More specifically, thetubing of a pipe segment may be implemented to facilitate isolatingenvironmental conditions external to the pipe segment from conditionswithin its pipe bore and, thus, fluid that flows therethrough. Inparticular, the tubing of a pipe segment may primarily be implemented toblock fluid flow directly between the pipe bore of the pipe segment andits external environmental conditions, for example, in addition toproviding thermal, pressure, and/or electrical isolation (e.g.,insulation).

To facilitate improving fluid isolation, in some instances, the tubingof a pipe segment may be implemented with multiple layers. For example,the tubing of a pipe segment may include an inner (e.g., innermost)barrier layer (e.g., liner or sheath) and an outer (e.g., outermost)barrier layer (e.g., shield or sheath) that each run (e.g., span) thelength of the pipe segment. To facilitate blocking fluid flow directlytherethrough, the inner barrier layer and the outer barrier layer mayeach be a continuous layer of solid material, such as plastic, that runsthe length of the pipe segment.

To facilitate improving its tensile strength and/or its hoop strength,in some instances, the tubing of a pipe segment may additionally includeone or more reinforcement layers implemented between its inner barrierlayer and its outer barrier layer. In particular, a reinforcement layerof the pipe segment tubing may be implemented with a solid material thathas a higher tensile strength and/or a higher hoop strength as comparedto a solid material that is used to implement the inner barrier layerand/or the outer barrier layer of the pipe segment tubing. For example,the reinforcement layer of the pipe segment tubing may be implementedusing metal, such as steel, while the inner barrier layer and the outerbarrier layer of the pipe segment tubing are implemented using plastic,such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Additionally, in some instances, a pipe fitting may be implemented to besecured to the tubing of a pipe segment using swaging techniques. Inparticular, in such instances, the pipe segment tubing may be insertedinto the pipe fitting and swaging techniques may be used to conformallydeform the pipe fitting around the pipe segment tubing. In other words,in such instances, the pipe fitting may be implemented using metal toenable the conformal deformation to secure the pipe fitting to the pipesegment tubing. However, a metal pipe fitting is generally heavy and,thus at least in some instances, may potentially limit deploymentefficiency of a pipeline system in which the metal pipe fitting is to bedeployed, for example, due to the weight of the metal pipe fittingresulting in deployment equipment, such as a crane, being used to movethe metal pipe fitting to a target deployment location in the pipelinesystem.

As such, to facilitate improving pipeline deployment efficiency, inother instances, a pipe fitting may be implemented using electrofusionmaterial, such as plastic, to enable the pipe fitting to be secured tothe tubing of a pipe segment at least in part using electrofusiontechniques. In particular, in such instances, the electrofusion materialin the electrofusion pipe fitting may be implemented to define a fittingbore through the electrofusion pipe fitting as well as one or moretubing cavities in which the tubing of corresponding pipe segments areto be secured. Additionally, the electrofusion pipe fitting may includeone or more heating wires embedded in its electrofusion material, forexample, such that the one or more heating wires are proximate to atubing cavity of the electrofusion pipe fitting. As such, whenelectrical power is applied (e.g., supplied) to a heating wire embeddedwithin the electrofusion pipe fitting, the electrical resistance of theheating wire may produce heat that causes electrofusion material in theelectrofusion pipe fitting to melt and, thus, bond (e.g. fuse) withelectrofusion material in the inner barrier layer and/or the outerbarrier layer of the pipe segment tubing once the heat is removed.

However, as described above, the tubing of a pipe segment generallyincludes one or more reinforcement layers implemented between its innerbarrier layer and its outer barrier layer to facilitate improvingtensile strength and/or hoop strength of the pipe segment. Moreover, atleast in some instances, the tensile capacity (e.g., strength) of a bondbetween electrofusion material (e.g., plastic) may be weaker than thetensile strength provided by the one or more reinforcement layers of thepipe segment. In other words, at least in such instances, deploying anelectrofusion pipe fitting in a pipeline system such that it reliessolely on a bond between electrofusion material may limit tensilecapacity (e.g., strength) of the pipeline system and, thus, potentiallylimit operational efficiency and/or operational reliability of thepipeline system, for example, due to exertion of a tensile force thatexceeds the tensile capacity of the bond between the electrofusionmaterial resulting in the electrofusion pipe fitting separating from apipe segment fluidly coupled thereto.

Accordingly, to facilitate improving pipeline operational efficiencyand/or operational reliability, the present disclosure providestechniques for implementing and/or deploying an electrofusion pipefitting in a pipeline system to facilitate improving the tensilecapacity (e.g., strength) of the pipeline system. As described above,the tensile strength of a reinforcement layer of a pipe segment securedto an electrofusion pipe fitting may generally be stronger than a bondbetween electrofusion material in the electrofusion pipe fitting andelectrofusion material in the tubing of the pipe segment. As such, tofacilitate improving tensile strength provided by the electrofusion pipefitting and, thus, the tensile capacity of the pipeline system, as willbe described in more detail below, the electrofusion pipe fitting may besecured to one or more reinforcement layers of the pipe segment.

To facilitate securing an electrofusion pipe fitting to one or morereinforcement layers of a pipe segment, one or more tensile clips may besecured to the tubing of the pipe segment. More specifically, a tensileclip to be secured to pipe segment tubing may include a loop end and oneor more clip legs that extend out from the loop end. Additionally, thetubing of the pipe segment may include one or more clip openings, whichare each implemented to enable a clip leg of a corresponding tensileclip to be secured therein, for example, via an interference (e.g.,press and/or friction) fit. In other words, as will be described in moredetail below, a tensile clip may be secured to the tubing of the pipesegment at least in part by inserting one or more clip legs of thetensile clip into corresponding clip openings implemented in the tubingof the pipe segment.

To facilitate securing a tensile clip to the tubing of a pipe segment,in some embodiments, the pipe segment tubing may then becircumferentially compressed such that the clip legs of the tensile clipare forced toward one or more reinforcement layers of the pipe segmenttubing and, thus, grab onto the one or more reinforcement layers of thepipe segment tubing. In fact, in some such embodiments, special-purposedeployment equipment may be implemented and/or operated tocircumferentially compress the tubing of a pipe segment, for example, tofacilitate securing a tensile clip to the pipe segment tubing. Inparticular, in some such embodiments, the special-purpose deploymentequipment may include a backing cylinder, which is implemented to be atleast partially inserted into a pipe bore defined by the tubing of thepipe segment. The special-purpose deployment equipment may additionallyinclude one or more actuators, which are each implemented and/oroperated to selectively actuate a piston (e.g., arm) toward the backingcylinder, thereby compressing pipe segment tubing disposed therebetween.

In any case, as described above, the tubing of a pipe segment and, thus,a tensile clip that is secured to the pipe segment tubing may be securedin a tubing cavity of an electrofusion pipe fitting. In particular, tofacilitate securing the electrofusion pipe fitting to the tensile clip,the electrofusion pipe fitting may include a tensile hook that partiallyextends into the tubing cavity of the electrofusion pipe fitting. Inparticular, in some embodiments, the tensile hook may include a hookshaft, which is implemented to be at least partially embedded within theelectrofusion material (e.g., plastic) of the electrofusion pipefitting, and a hook bend, which is implemented to extend out from thehook shaft and the electrofusion material into the tubing cavity of theelectrofusion pipe fitting. As such, in some embodiments, anelectrofusion pipe fitting may be implemented at least in part byholding one or more tensile hooks and one or more heating wires atcorresponding target positions in an electrofusion material mold and,subsequently, disposing (e.g., pouring) electrofusion material in theelectrofusion material mold.

Additionally, in some embodiments, a tensile hook may be implemented inan electrofusion pipe fitting such that its hook bend is orientedcircumferentially within a corresponding tubing cavity of theelectrofusion pipe fitting. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the hookbend of the tensile hook may be implemented to matingly interlock (e.g.,engage and/or interface) with the loop end of a corresponding tensileclip. Thus, in such embodiments, the electrofusion pipe fitting may besecured to a pipe segment at least in part by inserting an end of itstubing to which a tensile clip is secured into a tubing cavity of theelectrofusion pipe fitting and, subsequently, rotating the electrofusionpipe fitting relative to the pipe segment such that the hook bend of thetensile hook matingly interlocks with the loop end of the tensile clip.

In other words, in such embodiments, an electrofusion pipe fitting maybe secured to the tubing of a pipe segment at least in part bymaintaining the electrofusion pipe fitting in a position relative to thepipe segment at which a hook bend of a tensile hook implemented in theelectrofusion pipe fitting is matingly interlocked with the loop end ofa tensile clip that is secured to the pipe segment tubing. To facilitatemaintaining the electrofusion pipe fitting in the position at which thehook bend of its tensile hook is matingly interlocked with the loop endof the tensile clip, electrical power may be supplied to one or moreheating wires embedded in the electrofusion pipe fitting to facilitatebonding electrofusion material (e.g., plastic) implemented in theelectrofusion pipe fitting with electrofusion material in the pipesegment tubing and, thus, maintaining the electrofusion pipe fittingstationary relative to the pipe segment. In this manner, tensile forceexerted on a pipeline system in which the pipe segment and theelectrofusion pipe fitting are deployed may be transferred between thepipe segment and the electrofusion pipe fitting via a tensile clip,which grabs onto one or more reinforcement layers of the pipe segment,and a corresponding tensile hook, which is partially embedded withinelectrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fitting and matinglyinterlocked with the tensile clip.

To facilitate further improving tensile strength of a pipeline system,is some embodiments, the techniques described in the present disclosuremay facilitate implementing an electrofusion midline pipe fitting, whichfacilitates transferring tensile force between reinforcement layers ofpipe segments secured thereto. In particular, in such embodiments, theelectrofusion midline pipe fitting may include a first tubing cavity inwhich the tubing of a first pipe segment is to be secured and a secondtubing cavity in which the tubing of a second pipe segment is to besecured. Thus, to facilitate transferring tensile force between one ormore reinforcement layers of the first pipe segment and one or morereinforcement layers of the second pipe segment, a tensile hook of theelectrofusion midline pipe fitting may include a first hook bend, whichis implemented to matingly interlock with the loop end of a firsttensile clip that is secured to the tubing of the first pipe segmentand, thus, extends out from the electrofusion material of theelectrofusion midline pipe fitting into the first tubing cavity as wellas a second hook bend, which is implemented to matingly interlock withthe loop end of a second tensile clip that is secured to the tubing ofthe second pipe segment and, thus, extends out from the electrofusionmaterial of the electrofusion midline pipe fitting into the secondtubing cavity. In this manner, as will be described in more detailbelow, the present disclosure provides techniques that facilitateimproving tensile capacity (e.g., strength) of a pipeline system inwhich an electrofusion pipe fitting is deployed, which, at least in someinstances, may facilitate improving operational efficiency and/oroperational reliability of the pipeline system, for example, at least inpart by reducing the likelihood that tensile force exerted on thepipeline system causes the electrofusion pipe fitting to disconnect froma pipe segment secured thereto.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipeline system 10 is shown inFIG. 1. As depicted, the pipeline system 10 is coupled between a borefluid source 12 and a bore fluid destination 14. Merely as anillustrative non-limiting example, the bore fluid source 12 may be aproduction well and the bore fluid destination 14 may be a fluid storagetank. In other instances, the bore fluid source 12 may be a first (e.g.,lease facility) storage tank and the bore fluid destination 14 may be asecond (e.g., refinery) storage tank.

In any case, the pipeline system 10 may generally be implemented and/oroperated to facilitate transporting (e.g., conveying) fluid, such as gasand/or liquid, from the bore fluid source 12 to the bore fluiddestination 14. In fact, in some embodiments, the pipeline system 10 maybe used in many applications, including without limitation, both onshoreand offshore oil and gas applications. For example, in such embodiments,the pipeline system 10 may be used to transport one or morehydrocarbons, such as crude oil, petroleum, natural gas, or anycombination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the pipeline system10 may be used to transport one or more other types of fluid, such asproduced water, fresh water, fracturing fluid, flowback fluid, carbondioxide, or any combination thereof.

To facilitate flowing fluid to the bore fluid destination 14, in someembodiments, the bore fluid source 12 may include one or more bore fluidpumps 16 that are implemented and/or operated to inject (e.g., pumpand/or supply) fluid from the bore fluid source 12 into a bore of thepipeline system 10. However, it should be appreciated that the depictedexample is merely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Inparticular, in other embodiments, one or more bore fluid pumps 16 maynot be implemented at the bore fluid source 12, for example, when fluidflow through the bore of the pipeline system 10 is produced by gravity.Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, one or more borefluid pumps 16 may be implemented in the pipeline system 10 and/or atthe bore fluid destination 14.

To facilitate transporting fluid from the bore fluid source 12 to thebore fluid destination 14, as in the depicted example, a pipeline system10 may include one or more pipe fittings (e.g., connectors) 18 and oneor more pipe segments 20. For example, the depicted pipeline system 10includes a first pipe segment 20A, a second pipe segment 20B, and an Nthpipe segment 20N. Additionally, the depicted pipeline system 10 includesa first pipe (e.g., end) fitting 18A, which couples the bore fluidsource 12 to the first pipe segment 20A, a second pipe (e.g., midline)fitting 18B, which couples the first pipe segment 20A to the second pipesegment 20B, and an Nth pipe (e.g., end) fitting 18N, which couples theNth pipe segment 20N to the bore fluid destination 14.

However, it should again be appreciated that the depicted example ismerely intended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, inother embodiments, a pipeline system 10 may include fewer (e.g., one)pipe segments 20. Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, apipeline system 10 may include fewer (e.g., two) pipe fittings 18.

In any case, as described above, a pipe segment 20 generally includestubing that may be used to convey (e.g., transfer and/or transport)water, gas, oil, and/or any other suitable type of fluid. The tubing ofa pipe segment 20 may be made of any suitable type of material, such asplastic, metal, and/or a composite (e.g., fiber-reinforced composite)material. In fact, as will be described in more detail below, in someembodiments, the tubing of a pipe segment 20 may be implemented usingmultiple different layers. For example, the tubing of a pipe segment 20may include a first high-density polyethylene (e.g., internal corrosionprotection) layer, one or more reinforcement (e.g., steel strip) layersexternal to the first high-density polyethylene layer, and a secondhigh-density polyethylene (e.g., external corrosion protection) layerexternal to the one or more reinforcement layers.

Additionally, as in the depicted example, one or more (e.g., secondand/or Nth) pipe segments 20 in a pipeline system 10 may be curved. Tofacilitate implementing a curve in a pipe segment 20, in someembodiments, the pipe segment 20 may be flexible, for example, such thatthe pipe segment 20 is spoolable on a reel and/or in a coil (e.g.,during transport and/or before deployment of the pipe segment 20). Inother words, in some embodiments, one or more pipe segments 20 in thepipeline system 10 may be a flexible pipe, such as a bonded flexiblepipe, an unbonded flexible pipe, a flexible composite pipe (FCP), athermoplastic composite pipe (TCP), or a reinforced thermoplastic pipe(RTP). In fact, at least in some instances, increasing flexibility of apipe segment 20 may facilitate improving deployment efficiency of apipeline system 10, for example, by obviating a curved (e.g., elbow)pipe fitting 18 and/or enabling the pipe segment 20 to be transported tothe pipeline system 10, deployed in the pipeline system 10, or bothusing a tighter spool.

To facilitate improving pipe flexibility, in some embodiments, thetubing of a pipe segment 20 that defines (e.g., encloses) its pipe boremay include one or more openings devoid of solid material. In fact, insome embodiments, an opening in the tubing of a pipe segment 20 may run(e.g., span) the length of the pipe segment 20 and, thus, define (e.g.,enclose) a fluid conduit in the annulus of the tubing, which is separatefrom the pipe bore. In other words, in such embodiments, fluid may flowthrough a pipe segment 20 via its pipe bore, a fluid conduit implementedwithin its tubing annulus, or both.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipe segment 20, which includestubing 22 with fluid conduits 24 implemented in a tubing annulus 25, isshown in FIG. 2. As depicted, the pipe segment tubing 22 is implementedwith multiple layers including an inner (e.g., innermost) barrier layer26 and an outer (e.g., outermost) barrier layer 28. In some embodiments,the inner barrier layer 26 and/or the outer barrier layer 28 of the pipesegment tubing 22 may be implemented using composite material and/orplastic, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or raisedtemperature polyethylene (PE-RT). In any case, as depicted, an innersurface 30 of the inner barrier layer 26 defines (e.g., encloses) a pipebore 32 through which fluid can flow, for example, to facilitatetransporting fluid from a bore fluid source 12 to a bore fluiddestination 14.

Additionally, as depicted, the annulus 25 of the pipe segment tubing 22is implemented between its inner barrier layer 26 and its outer barrierlayer 28. As will be described in more detail below, the tubing annulus25 may include one or more reinforcement (e.g., intermediate) layers ofthe pipe segment tubing 22. Furthermore, as depicted, fluid conduits 24running along the length of the pipe segment 20 are defined (e.g.,enclosed) in the tubing annulus 25. As described above, a fluid conduit24 in the tubing annulus 25 may be devoid of solid material. As such,pipe segment tubing 22 that includes one or more fluid conduits 24therein may include less solid material and, thus, exert less resistanceto flexure, for example, compared to solid pipe segment tubing 22 and/orpipe segment tubing 22 that does not include fluid conduits 24implemented therein. Moreover, to facilitate further improving pipeflexibility, in some embodiments, one or more layers in the tubing 22 ofa pipe segment 20 may be unbonded from one or more other layers in thetubing 22 and, thus, the pipe segment 20 may be an unbonded pipe.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, pipe segment tubing 22 may include fewer (e.g., one) ormore (e.g., three, four, or more) fluid conduits 24 defined in itstubing annulus 25. Additionally, in other embodiments, a fluid conduit24 defined in a tubing annulus 25 of a pipe segment 20 run non-parallelto the pipe bore 32 of the pipe segment 20, for example, such that thefluid conduit 24 is skewed relative to the axial (e.g., longitudinal)extent of the pipe bore 32.

To help illustrate, an example of a portion 36 of a pipe segment 20,which includes an inner barrier layer 26 and a reinforcement (e.g.,reinforcement layer) 34 included in a tubing annulus 25 of its pipesegment tubing 22, is shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, one or morereinforcement layers 34 of the pipe segment tubing 22 may be implementedusing a solid material that has a higher tensile strength and/or ahigher hoop strength as compared to a solid material used to implementthe inner barrier layer 26. For example, the inner barrier layer 26 maybe implemented using plastic, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE),while a reinforcement layer 34 is implemented using composite materialand/or metal, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, duplex stainlesssteel, super duplex stainless steel, or any combination thereof. Inother words, at least in some such embodiments, a reinforcement layer 34of the pipe segment tubing 22 may be implemented using electricallyconductive, which, at least in some instances, may enable communicationof electrical (e.g., test and/or return) signals via the reinforcementlayer 34.

In any case, as depicted, the reinforcement layer 34 is helicallydisposed (e.g., wound and/or wrapped) on the inner barrier layer 26 suchthat gaps (e.g., openings) are left between adjacent windings to definea fluid conduit 24. In other words, in some embodiments, thereinforcement layer 34 may be implemented at least in part by winding asolid strip of material around the inner barrier layer 26 at a non-zerolay angle (e.g., fifty-four degrees) relative to the axial (e.g.,longitudinal) extent of the pipe bore 32. In any case, as depicted, theresulting fluid conduit 24 runs helically along the pipe segment 20, forexample, such that the fluid conduit 24 is skewed fifty-four degreesrelative to the axial extent of the pipe bore 32.

In some embodiments, an outer barrier layer 28 may be disposed directlyover the depicted reinforcement layer 34 and, thus, cover and/or define(e.g., enclose) the depicted fluid conduit 24. However, in otherembodiments, the tubing annulus 25 of pipe segment tubing 22 may includemultiple (e.g., two, three, four, or more) reinforcement layers 34. Inother words, in such embodiments, one or more other reinforcement layers34 may be disposed over the depicted reinforcement layer 34. In fact, insome such embodiments, the one or more other reinforcement layers 34 mayalso each be helically disposed such that gaps are left between adjacentwindings to implement one or more corresponding fluid conduits 24 in thepipe segment tubing 22.

For example, a first other reinforcement layer 34 may be helicallydisposed on the depicted reinforcement layer 34 using the same non-zerolay angle as the depicted reinforcement layer 34 to cover (e.g., defineand/or enclose) the depicted fluid conduit 24 and to implement anotherfluid conduit 24 in the first other reinforcement layer 34.Additionally, a second other reinforcement layer 34 may be helicallydisposed on the first other reinforcement layer 34 using anothernon-zero lay angle, which is the inverse of the non-zero lay angle ofthe depicted reinforcement layer 34, to implement another fluid conduit24 in the second other reinforcement layer 34. Furthermore, a thirdother reinforcement layer 34 may be helically disposed on the secondother reinforcement layer 34 using the same non-zero lay angle as thesecond other reinforcement layer 34 to cover the other fluid conduit 24in the second other reinforcement layer 34 and to implement anotherfluid conduit 24 in the third other reinforcement layer 34. In someembodiments, an outer barrier layer 28 may be disposed over the thirdother reinforcement layer 34 and, thus, cover (e.g., define and/orenclose) the other fluid conduit 24 in the third other reinforcementlayer 34.

In any case, as described above, in some embodiments, the depictedreinforcement layer 34 may be implemented using a solid material thathas a stronger tensile strength and/or a stronger hoop strength ascompared to a solid material used to implement the inner barrier layer26 and the outer barrier layer 28 of the pipe segment tubing 22. Forexample, the depicted reinforcement layer 34 may be implemented usingmetal, such as steel, while the inner barrier layer 26 and the outerbarrier layer 28 are implemented using plastic, such as high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE). Additionally, as described above, in someembodiments, a pipe fitting 18 may be secured to the tubing 22 of a pipesegment 20 using electrofusion techniques, for example, which bondelectrofusion material (e.g., plastic) implemented in the pipe fitting18 with electrofusion material implemented in the tubing 22 of the pipesegment 20.

To help illustrate, an example of a portion 36 of a pipeline system 10,which includes an electrofusion pipe fitting 38A, is shown in FIG. 4. Asdepicted, electrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38Ais implemented to define a fitting bore 44 through the electrofusionpipe fitting 38A, a first tubing cavity 46A, and a second tubing cavity46B. In particular, as depicted, first tubing 22A of a first pipesegment 20A is disposed in the first tubing cavity 46A of theelectrofusion pipe fitting 48A and second tubing 22B of a second pipesegment 20B is disposed in the second tubing cavity 46B of theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38A to facilitate fluidly coupling a firstpipe bore 32A of the first pipe segment 20A with a second pipe bore 32Bof the second pipe segment 20B.

In other words, the electrofusion pipe fitting 38A of FIG. 4 may be anelectrofusion midline pipe fitting 38. However, it should be appreciatedthat the depicted example is merely intended to be illustrative and notlimiting. In particular, in other embodiments, the techniques describedin the present disclosure may additionally be used to implement and/ordeploy an electrofusion pipe end fitting 38.

In any case, as described above, an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may besecured to the tubing 22 of a pipe segment 20 at least in part bybonding electrofusion material (e.g., plastic) implemented in theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38 with electrofusion material implemented inthe tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20. To facilitate bondingelectrofusion material, as depicted, the electrofusion pipe fitting 38Aincludes one or more heating wires 48, which may be electrically coupledto an electrical power source 40 via one or more external wires (e.g.,cables) 42. In particular, as in the depicted example, a heating wire 48of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38A may be embedded within theelectrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe 38A, for example,proximate to a tubing cavity 46 of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38A.Due to its electrical resistance, supplying electrical power to theheating wire 48 may cause it to heat up, thereby melting electrofusionmaterial implemented in the electrofusion pipe fitting 38A such that theelectrofusion material implemented in the electrofusion pipe fitting 38Abonds (e.g., fuses) with electrofusion material implemented in thetubing 22 of a pipe segment 20 disposed in a corresponding tubing cavity46 once the heat has been removed.

In other words, to facilitate securing the electrofusion pipe fitting38A to the first pipe segment 20A, electrofusion material adjacent thefirst tubing cavity 46A may be bonded with electrofusion material in thefirst tubing 22A of the first pipe segment 20A that is disposed in thefirst tubing cavity 46A. Similarly, to facilitate securing theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38A to the second pipe segment 20B,electrofusion material adjacent the second tubing cavity 46B may bebonded with electrofusion material in the second tubing 22B of thesecond pipe segment 20B that is disposed in the second tubing cavity46B. However, as described above, the tensile strength of a bond betweenelectrofusion material (e.g., plastic) is generally weaker than thetensile strength of one or more reinforcement layers 34 in a pipesegment 20. In other words, at least in some instances, deploying anelectrofusion pipe fitting 38 in a pipeline system 10 that relies solelyon a bond between electrofusion material may limit tensile capacity(e.g., strength) of the pipeline system 10 and, thus, potentially limitoperational efficiency and/or operational reliability of the pipelinesystem 10, for example, due to exertion of a tensile force that exceedsthe tensile capacity provided by the bond between the electrofusionmaterial resulting in the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 separating froma pipe segment 20 secured thereto.

Accordingly, to facilitate improving pipeline operational efficiencyand/or operational reliability, the present disclosure providestechniques for implementing and/or deploying an electrofusion pipefitting 38 in a pipeline system 10 to facilitate improving the tensilecapacity (e.g., strength) of the pipeline system 10. In particular, tofacilitate improving pipeline tensile capacity, the pipeline system 10may be implemented to facilitate transferring tensile force exertedthereon between non-electrofusion material, such as metal, implementedin the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 and one or more reinforcementlayers 34 of pipe segment tubing 22 that is secured to the electrofusionpipe fitting 38, for example, instead of solely relying on a bondbetween electrofusion material in the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 andelectrofusion material in the pipe segment tubing 22.

To help illustrate, another example of a portion 50 of a pipeline system10, which includes an electrofusion pipe fitting 38B, is shown in FIG.5. As depicted, electrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fitting38B is implemented to define a fitting bore 44 through the electrofusionpipe fitting 38B, a first tubing cavity 46A, and a second tubing cavity46B. In particular, as depicted, first tubing 22A of a first pipesegment 20A is disposed in the first tubing cavity 46A of theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38A and second tubing 22B of a second pipesegment 20B is disposed in the second tubing cavity 46B of theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38A to facilitate fluidly coupling a firstpipe bore 32A of the first pipe segment 20A with a second pipe bore 32Bof the second pipe segment 20B.

In other words, the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B of FIG. 5 may be anelectrofusion midline pipe fitting 38. However, it should be appreciatedthat the depicted example is merely intended to be illustrative and notlimiting. In particular, in other embodiments, the techniques describedin the present disclosure may additionally be used to implement and/ordeploy an electrofusion pipe end fitting 38.

In any case, to facilitate bonding electrofusion material, as depicted,the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B includes one or more heating wires48. In some embodiments, the one or more heating wires 48 of FIG. 5 maygenerally match the one or more heating wires 48 of FIG. 4. In otherwords, in such embodiments, the one or more heating wires 48 of theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38B may be electrically coupled to anelectrical power source 40 via one or more external wires (e.g., cables)42.

However, as depicted, the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B of FIG. 5additionally includes tensile hooks 52—namely a first tensile hook 52Aand an Nth tensile hook 52N. In particular, each tensile hook 52includes a hook shaft 54, which is at least partially embedded inelectrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B, and one ormore hook bends 56, which each extend out from hook shaft 54 and theelectrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B into acorresponding tubing cavity 46. More specifically, as depicted, thefirst tensile hook 52A includes a first hook shaft 54A, a first hookbend 56A that extends out from the first hook shaft 54A into the firsttubing cavity 46A, and a second hook bend 56B that extends out from thefirst hook shaft 54A into the second tubing cavity 46B. Similarly,although partially obfuscated from view, the Nth tensile hook 52Nincludes an Nth hook shaft 54N, an Nth hook bend 56 that extends outfrom the Nth hook shaft 54N into the first tubing cavity 46A, and anN+1th hook bend 56 that extends out from the Nth hook shaft 54N into thesecond tubing cavity 46B.

Moreover, as depicted in FIG. 5, tensile clips 58 are secured to thetubing 22 of each pipe segment 20 disposed in a tubing cavity 46 of theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38B. In particular, as depicted, a firsttensile clip 58A and an Nth tensile clip 58N are secured to the firsttubing 22A of the first pipe segment 20A. Additionally, as depicted, asecond tensile clip 58B and an N+1th tensile clip 580 are secured to thesecond tubing 22B of the second pipe segment 20B.

More specifically, as depicted, each tensile clip 58 secured to thetubing 22 of a pipe segment 20 includes a loop end 60 and clip legs 62,which extend out from the loop end 60. As will be described in moredetail below, to facilitate securing a tensile clip 58 to pipe segmenttubing 22, in some embodiments, the clip legs 62 of a tensile clip 58may be implemented to be secured in a corresponding clip opening formedin the pipe segment tubing 22, for example, via an interference (e.g.,press and/or friction) fit. In other words, in such embodiments, a pipesegment 20 to be secured to an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may beimplemented at least in part by forming clip openings in its tubing 22and securing corresponding clip legs 62 of a tensile clip 58 in the clipopenings.

To help illustrate, an example of a pipe segment 20, which includestubing 22 and a tensile clip 58, is shown in FIG. 6. As depicted, clipopenings 64 are implemented (e.g., formed) in the pipe segment tubing22. In particular, a first clip opening 64A is implemented in an innerbarrier layer 26 of the pipe segment tubing 22 while a second clipopening 64B is implemented in an outer barrier layer 28 of the pipesegment tubing 22.

Additionally, as depicted, the tensile clip 58 includes a loop end 60and multiple clip legs 62—namely a first clip leg 62A, which includes afirst pointed end 65A, and a second clip leg 62B, which includes asecond pointed end 65B—that extend out from the loop end 60 of thetensile clip 58. In particular, the first clip leg 62A of the tensileclip 58 may be secured in the first clip opening 64A that is implementedin the inner barrier layer 26 of the pipe segment tubing 22. On theother hand, the second clip leg 62B of the tensile clip 58 may besecured in the second clip opening 64B that is implemented in the outerbarrier layer 28 of the pipe segment tubing 22.

Furthermore, as described above, pipe segment tubing 22 may include oneor more reinforcement layers 34 implemented between its inner barrierlayer 26 and its outer barrier layer 28. In other words, when the cliplegs 62 are secured in the clip openings 64, the tensile clip 58 may besecured around and, thus, grab onto the one or more reinforcement layer34 of the pipe segment tubing 22. As such, securing the tensile clip 58to the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20 in this manner may facilitatetransferring tensile force exerted thereon between the one or morereinforcement layers 34 of the pipe segment 20 and the tensile clip 58.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in someembodiments, multiple tensile clips 58 may be secured to the tubing 22of a pipe segment 20 and, thus, multiple sets (e.g., pairs) of clipopenings 64 may be implemented in the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20.For example, in some such embodiments, four sets of clip openings 64 maybe implemented in the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20 such that theyare ninety degrees offset when four tensile clips 58 are secured to thetubing 22 of the pipe segment 20. Additionally or alternatively, inother embodiments, a tensile clip 58 to be secured to the tubing 22 of apipe segment 20 may be implemented with a different shape.

To help illustrate, another example of a tensile clip 58—namely aserrated tensile clip 66—is shown in FIG. 7. As depicted, the serratedtensile clip 66 includes a loop end 60, a first clip leg 62A with afirst pointed end 65A that extends out from the loop end 60, and asecond clip leg 62B with a second point end 65B that extends out fromthe loop end 60. In some embodiments, the loop end 60 of the serratedtensile clip 66 in FIG. 7 may generally match the loop end 60 of thetensile clip 58 in FIG. 6 and/or the second clip leg 62B of the serratedtensile clip 66 in FIG. 7 may generally match the second clip leg 62B ofthe tensile clip 58 in FIG. 6.

However, as depicted in FIG. 7, the first clip leg 62A of the serratedtensile clip 66 additionally includes teeth 68 (e.g., serrations) thatextend out from its inner surface 70. In some embodiments, the teeth 68implemented on the first clip leg 62A may increase the surface area ofthe first clip leg 62A and, thus, facilitate increasing a contactsurface area between the serrated tensile clip 66 and the tubing 22 of apipe segment 20 to which the tensile clip 66 is secured. In other words,in such embodiments, securing the serrated tensile clip 66 to pipesegment tubing 22 may facilitate improving the strength with which theserrated tensile clip 66 is secured to the pipe segment tubing 22 and,thus at least in some instances, may facilitate improving the transferof tensile force between one or more reinforcement layers 34 of the pipesegment tubing 22 and the serrated tensile clip 66.

In any case, returning to the portion 50 of the pipeline system 10depicted in FIG. 5, as described above, one or more reinforcement layers34 of a pipe segment 20 may be implemented between an inner barrierlayer 26 of its tubing 22 and an outer barrier layer 28 of its tubing22. Additionally, as described above, in some embodiments, areinforcement layer 34 of pipe segment tubing 22 may be implemented tofacilitate defining a fluid conduit 24 within the pipe segment tubing22. Moreover, even when implemented as a continuous layer of solidmaterial, in some instances, some amount of fluid (e.g., gas and/orliquid) may nevertheless permeate through the inner barrier layer 26and/or the outer barrier layer 28 of the pipe segment tubing 22 into thefluid conduit 24 defined within the reinforcement layer 34.

To facilitate venting fluid present within pipe segment tubing 22secured thereto, as in the depicted example, in some embodiments, theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38B may include one or more vent (e.g.,fluid) ports 72. However, it should again be appreciated that thedepicted example is merely intended to be illustrative and not limiting.In particular, in other embodiments, an electrofusion pipe fitting 38may not include a vent port 72.

In any case, as in the depicted example, a vent port 72 of theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38B may be fluidly coupled to one or moretubing cavities 46 of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B. Thus, tofacilitate venting fluid present within a fluid conduit 24 defined in areinforcement layer 34 of pipe segment tubing 22 that is secured in atubing cavity 46 of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B, a fluid pathbetween the fluid conduit 24 in the reinforcement layer 34 and the ventport 72 may be provided in the tubing cavity 46. In fact, in someembodiments, a tensile clip 58 secured to the pipe segment tubing 22 maybe implemented to facilitate maintaining open a fluid path between thefluid conduit 24 in the reinforcement layer 34 and the vent port 72 inthe tubing cavity 46.

To help illustrate, a further example of a tensile clip 58—namely a ventassurance tensile clip 74—is shown in FIG. 8. As depicted, the ventassurance tensile clip 74 includes a loop end 60, a first clip leg 62Awith a first pointed end 65A that extends out from the loop end 60, anda second clip leg 62B with a second point end 65B that extends out fromthe loop end 60. In some embodiments, the loop end 60 of the ventassurance tensile clip 74 in FIG. 8 may generally match the loop end 60of the tensile clip 58 in FIG. 6, the first clip leg 62A of the ventassurance tensile clip 74 in FIG. 8 may generally match the first clipleg 62A of the tensile clip 58 in FIG. 6, and/or the second clip leg 62Bof the vent assurance tensile clip 74 in FIG. 8 may generally match thesecond clip leg 62B of the tensile clip 58 in FIG. 6.

However, as depicted in FIG. 8, the vent assurance tensile clip 74additionally includes a guide bar 76 that extends between its first clipleg 62A and its second clip leg 62B. More specifically, the ventassurance tensile clip 74 may be implemented to enable the first clipleg 62A and the second clip leg 62B to be inserted into the tubing 22 ofa pipe segment 20 until the guide bar 76 of the vent assurance tensileclip 74 directly abuts the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20. In otherwords, due to the distance between the loop end 60 and the guide bar 76,securing the vent assurance tensile clip 74 to the pipe segment tubing22 may facilitate maintaining clearance between the pipe segment tubing22 and a tubing cavity 46 of an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 in whichthe pipe segment tubing 22 is disposed and, thus, maintaining a fluidpath between a fluid conduit 24 defined in an reinforcement layer 34 ofthe pipe segment tubing 22 and a vent port 72 of the electrofusion pipefitting 38.

In any case, as described above, a tensile clip 58 may be secured aroundand, thus, grab onto one or more reinforcement layers 34 of pipe segmenttubing 22 to facilitate transferring tensile force between the one ormore reinforcement layers 34 of the pipe segment tubing 22 and thetensile clip 58. In fact, in some embodiments, special-purposedeployment equipment may be implemented and/or operated to facilitatesecuring one or more tensile clips 58 to pipe segment tubing 22. Inparticular, to facilitate securing a tensile clip 58 to pipe segmenttubing 22, in some such embodiments, the special-purpose deploymentequipment may be implemented and/or operated to circumferentiallycompress the pipe segment tubing 22 around the tensile clip 58.

To help illustrate, an example of special-purpose deployment equipment76 and a pipe segment 20 is shown in FIG. 9. As depicted, the pipesegment 20 includes a first tensile clip 58A, an Nth tensile clip 58N,and tubing 22, which includes an inner barrier layer 26, an outerbarrier layer 28, and one or more reinforcement layers 34. In someembodiments, the first tensile clip 58A and/or the Nth tensile clip 58Nin FIG. 9 may generally match the tensile clip 58 in FIG. 6.Additionally or alternatively, the first tensile clip 58A and/or the Nthtensile clip 58N in FIG. 9 may generally match the serrated tensile clip66 in FIG. 7. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first tensile clip58A and/or the Nth tensile clip 58N in FIG. 9 may generally match thevent assurance tensile clip 74 in FIG. 8.

Additionally, as depicted, the special-purpose deployment equipment 76includes a backing cylinder 78 and actuators 80, which each include anactuator piston (e.g., arm) 82. In particular, the special-purposedeployment equipment 76 includes a first actuator 80A, which includes afirst actuator piston 82A, and an Nth actuator 80N, which includes anNth actuator piston 82N. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the actuators80 of the special-purpose deployment equipment 76 may include one ormore hydraulic actuators 80 and/or one or more pneumatic actuators 80.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, althoughmultiple actuators 80 are depicted, in other embodiments,special-purpose deployment equipment 76 may include a single actuator80. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, special-purposedeployment equipment 76 may include additional components, such as acontrol system that is implemented and/or operated to generally controloperation of the special-purpose deployment equipment 76. Moreover, inother embodiments, other types of special-purpose deployment equipment76, such as a swage machine, may be implemented and/or operated tofacilitate securing a tensile clip 58 to the tubing 22 of a pipe segment20.

In any case, as depicted, the backing cylinder 78 of the special-purposedeployment equipment 76 is implemented to be at least partially insertedinto the pipe bore 32 of the pipe segment 20. In some embodiments, thebacking cylinder 78 may be a solid cylinder. However, in otherembodiments, the backing cylinder 78 may be a ring, for example, tofacilitate reducing weight and, thus, improving deployment efficiency ofthe special-purpose deployment equipment 76.

Furthermore, as depicted, the actuators 80 of the special-purposedeployment equipment 76 are implemented such that their actuator pistons82 are oriented toward the backing cylinder 78 (e.g., inwardly). Assuch, when the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20 is disposed between theactuator pistons 82 and the backing cylinder 78, the actuators 80 of thespecial-purpose deployment equipment 76 may be operated tocircumferentially compress the tubing 22 around the clip legs 62 of thetensile clips 58, for example, to facilitate producing via interference(e.g., press and/or friction) fits that facilitate securing the tensileclips 58 to the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20. In particular,circumferentially compressing the pipe segment tubing 22 around the cliplegs 62 of a tensile clip 58 may facilitate compressing the clip legs 62toward one or more reinforcement layers 34 of the pipe segment tubing 22and, thus, facilitate securing the tensile clip 58 to the pipe segmenttubing 22 such that the tensile clip 58 grabs onto the one or morereinforcement layers 34 of the pipe segment tubing 22.

In any case, as described above, pipe segment tubing 22 may be securedin a tubing cavity 46 of an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 at least inpart by bonding electrofusion material (e.g., plastic) in theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38 with electrofusion material in the pipesegment tubing 22. In particular, to facilitate bonding theelectrofusion material, the electrofusion material of the pipe segmenttubing 22 may be in close proximity (e.g., adjacent) to theelectrofusion material in the tubing cavity 46 of the electrofusion pipefitting 38. In other words, to facilitate securing the pipe segmenttubing 22 in the tubing cavity 46 of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38,the pipe segment tubing 22 may be appropriately sized for the tubingcavity 46, for example, such that an outer surface diameter of the pipesegment tubing 22 is slightly less than an inward-facing surfacediameter of the tubing cavity 46 and/or an inner surface diameter of thepipe segment tubing 22 is slightly greater than an outward-facingsurface diameter of the tubing cavity 46.

However, at least in some instances, a default (e.g., original and/oruncompressed) size of the tubing 22 of a pipe segment 20 may not beappropriate for securement in a tubing cavity 46 of an electrofusionpipe fitting 38. Thus, to facilitate securement in the tubing cavity 46,the size of the pipe segment tubing 22 may be adjusted from its defaultsize. For example, the size of the pipe segment tubing 22 may beadjusted at least in part by removing (e.g., shaving) material from anouter surface 84 of the pipe segment tubing 22 and/or from an innersurface 86 of the pipe segment tubing 22.

Additionally or alternatively, since used to circumferentially compresspipe segment tubing 22, in some embodiments, the special-purposedeployment equipment 76 may be implemented and/or operated to facilitateappropriately adjusting the size of the pipe segment tubing 22 from itsdefault size for securement in a tubing cavity 46 of an electrofusionpipe fitting 38. In particular, in such embodiments, the actuators 80 ofthe special-purpose deployment equipment 76 may be operated tocircumferentially compress the pipe segment tubing 22 to facilitatereducing the outer surface diameter of the pipe segment tubing 22 and/orto facilitate increasing the inner surface diameter of the pipe segmenttubing 22. In this manner, special-purpose deployment equipment 76 maybe implemented and/or operated to facilitate securing tubing 22 of apipe segment 20 to an electrofusion pipe fitting 38, for example, atleast in part by facilitating an adjustment to a default size of thetubing 22 and/or securement of one or more tensile clips 58 to thetubing 22 of the pipe segment 20.

Returning to the portion 50 of the pipeline system 10 depicted in FIG.5, as described above, securing a tensile clip 58 to the tubing 22 of apipe segment 20 such that the tensile clip 58 grabs onto one or morereinforcement layers 34 of the tubing 22 may facilitate transferringtensile force exerted on the pipeline system 10 between the one or morereinforcement layers 34 of the tubing 22 and the tensile clip 58 securedto the tubing 22. Additionally, as described above, to facilitateimproving its tensile capacity (e.g., strength), a pipeline system 10that includes an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may be implemented tofacilitate transferring tensile force exerted thereon betweennon-electrofusion material, for example, instead of relying solely on abond between electrofusion material (e.g., plastic) in the electrofusionpipe fitting 38 and electrofusion material in the tubing 22 of the pipesegment 20. Furthermore, as described above, a tensile clip 58 securedto pipe segment tubing 22 and a tensile hook 52 in the electrofusionpipe fitting 38 may be implemented using non-electrofusion material,such as metal.

To facilitate transferring tensile force therebetween, as in thedepicted example, one or more hook bends 56 of a tensile hook 52 in theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38B may be matingly interlocked (e.g.,engaged and/or interfaced) with a loop end 60 of a tensile clip 58. Inparticular, the first hook bend 56A of the first tensile hook 52A ismatingly interlocked with the loop end 60 of the first tensile clip 58A,which is secured to the first tubing 22A of the first pipe segment 20A,and, thus, may facilitate transferring tensile force between one or morereinforcement layers 34 of the first pipe segment 20A and theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38B. Additionally, a second hook bend 56B ofthe first tensile hook 52A is matingly interlocked with the loop end 60of the second tensile clip 58B, which is secured to the second tubing22B of the second pipe segment 20B, and, thus, may facilitatetransferring tensile force between one or more reinforcement layers 34of the second pipe segment 20B and the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B.In fact, at least in some instances, implementing the first tensile hook52A in this manner may facilitate transferring tensile force betweennon-electrofusion material (e.g., one or more tensile clips 58 and oneor more reinforcement layers 34) of the first pipe segment 20A andnon-electrofusion material (e.g., one or more tensile clips 58 and oneor more reinforcement layers 34) of the second pipe segment 20B via thefirst hook shaft 54A of the first tensile hook 52A.

Although obfuscated from view, as described above, the Nth tensile hook52N of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B includes an Nth hook bend 56and an N+1th hook bend 56. In particular, the Nth hook bend 56 of theNth tensile hook 52N may be matingly interlocked with the loop end 60 ofthe Nth tensile clip 58N, which is secured to the first tubing 22A ofthe first pipe segment 20A, and, thus, may facilitate transferringtensile force between one or more reinforcement layers 34 of the firstpipe segment 20A and the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B. Additionally,the N+1th hook bend 56 of the N+1th tensile hook 52N may be matinglyinterlocked with the loop end 60 of the N+1th tensile clip 580, which issecured to the second tubing 22B of the second pipe segment 20B, and,thus, may facilitate transferring tensile force between one or morereinforcement layers 34 of the second pipe segment 20B and theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38B. In fact, at least in some instances,implementing the Nth tensile hook 52N in this manner may facilitatetransferring tensile force between non-electrofusion material (e.g., oneor more tensile clips 58 and one or more reinforcement layers 34) of thefirst pipe segment 20A and non-electrofusion material (e.g., one or moretensile clips 58 and one or more reinforcement layers 34) of the secondpipe segment 20B via the Nth hook shaft 54N of the Nth tensile hook 52N.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may include a tensile loopinstead of a tensile hook 52, for example, which includes aspring-loaded gate. In fact, to facilitate transferring tensile forcebetween pipe segment tubing 22 and an electrofusion pipe fitting 28, insome such embodiments, a tensile hook 52, which includes a hook bend 56that is implemented to matingly interlock with the tensile loop of theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38, may be secured to an outer barrier layer28 of the pipe segment tubing 22 and another tensile hook 52, whichincludes another hook bend 56 that is implemented to matingly interlockwith the tensile loop of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38, may besecured to an inner barrier layer 28 of the pipe segment tubing 22instead of a tensile clip 58, for example, such that the hook shafts 54of the tensile hooks 52 are secured around and, thus, grab onto one ormore reinforcement layers 34 of the pipe segment tubing 22.

In any case, as depicted, the first hook bend 56A and the second hookbend 56B of the first tensile hook 52A are oriented in a first direction(e.g., out of the page). On the other hand, although obfuscated fromview, the Nth hook bend 56 and the N+1th hook bend 56 of the Nth tensilehook 52N are oriented in a second (e.g., opposite and/or different)direction (e.g., into the page). In other words, rotating theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38B relative to the first pipe segment 20Amay cause the first hook bend 56A of the first tensile hook 52A tomatingly interlock with the loop end 60 of the first tensile clip 58A,which is secured to the first tubing 22A of the first pipe segment 20A,and the Nth hook bend 56 of the Nth tensile hook 52N to matinglyinterlock with the loop end 60 of the Nth tensile clip 58N, which issecured to the first tubing 22A of the first pipe segment 20A.Similarly, rotating the electrofusion pipe fitting 38B relative to thesecond pipe segment 20B may cause the second hook bend 56B of the firsttensile hook 52A to matingly interlock with the loop end 60 of thesecond tensile clip 58B, which is secured to the second tubing 22B ofthe second pipe segment 20B, and the N+1th hook bend 56 of the Nthtensile hook 52N to matingly interlock with the loop end of the N+1thtensile clip 580, which is secured to the second tubing 22B of thesecond pipe segment 20B. In other words, in some embodiments, anelectrofusion pipe fitting 38 may be implemented such that the hookbends 56 of its tensile hooks 52 are oriented circumferentially withinone or more of its tubing cavities 46.

To help illustrate, an example of an electrofusion pipe fitting 38C,which is implemented to define a fitting bore 44 and a tubing cavity 46,is shown in FIG. 10. As depicted, the electrofusion pipe fitting 38Cincludes multiple tensile hooks 52 that extend into the tubing cavity46. In particular, as depicted, the electrofusion pipe fitting 38Cincludes a first tensile hook 52A, a second tensile hook 52B, a thirdtensile hook 52C, and an Nth (e.g., fourth) tensile hook 52N. In someembodiments, the depicted tensile hooks 52 may be ninety-degrees offsetfrom one another.

However, it should be appreciated that the depicted example is merelyintended to be illustrative and not limiting. In particular, in otherembodiments, an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may include fewer thanfour (e.g., one, two, or three) tensile hooks 52 that extend into atubing cavity 46, for example, when pipe segment tubing 22 to be securedin the tubing cavity 46 includes fewer than four tensile clips 58secured thereto. Additionally, in other embodiments, an electrofusionpipe fitting 38 may include more than four (e.g., five, six, seven,eight, or more) tensile hooks 52 that extend into a tubing cavity 46,for example, when pipe segment tubing 22 to be secured in the tubingcavity 46 includes more than four tensile clips 58 secured thereto.

In any case, as depicted, each tensile hook 52 includes a hook shaft 54and a hook bend 56. In particular, the first tensile hook 52A includes afirst hook shaft 54A and a first hook bend 56A, which extends out fromthe first hook shaft 54A in a direction that circumferentially followsthe tubing cavity 46. Similarly, the second tensile hook 52B includes asecond hook shaft 54B and a second hook bend 56B that extends out fromthe second hook shaft 54B in a direction that circumferentially followsthe tubing cavity 46, the third tensile hook 52C includes a third hookshaft 54C and a third hook bend 56C that extends out from the third hookshaft 54C in a direction that circumferentially follows the tubingcavity 46, and the Nth tensile hook 52N includes an Nth (e.g., fourth)hook shaft 54N and an Nth (e.g., fourth) hook bend 56N that extends outfrom the Nth hook shaft 54N in a direction that circumferentiallyfollows the tubing cavity 46.

As such, to facilitate securing a pipe segment 20 to the electrofusionpipe fitting 38C, the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20 may be insertedinto the tubing cavity 46 such that the loop end 60 of each tensile clip58 secured to the tubing 22 is present between the hook bend 56 of acorresponding tensile hook 52 and the hook shaft 54 of an adjacenttensile hook 52. For example, the pipe segment tubing 22 may be insertedinto the tubing cavity 46 such that the loop end 60 of a first tensileclip 58A, which is secured to the pipe segment tubing 22, is presentbetween the first hook bend 56A of the first tensile hook 52A and thesecond hook shaft 54B of the second tensile hook 52A. Additionally oralternatively, the pipe segment tubing 22 may be inserted into thetubing cavity 46 such that the loop end 60 of an Nth tensile clip 58N,which is secured to the pipe segment tubing 22, is present between theNth hook bend 56N of the Nth tensile hook 52N and the third hook shaft54C of the third tensile hook 52C.

As such, subsequently rotating the electrofusion pipe fitting 38Crelative to a pipe segment 20 inserted into its tubing cavity 46 maycause a hook bend 56 of a tensile hook 52 in the electrofusion pipefitting 38C to matingly interlock with the loop end 60 of acorresponding tensile clip 58 that is secured to the tubing 22 of thepipe segment 20 and, thus, facilitate securing the pipe segment 20 inthe tubing cavity 46 of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38C. For example,rotating the electrofusion pipe fitting 38C relative to the pipe segment20 may cause the first hook bend 56A of the first tensile hook 52A tomatingly interlock with the loop end 60 of the first tensile clip 58Athat is secured to the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20. Additionally oralternatively, rotating the electrofusion pipe fitting 38C relative tothe pipe segment 20 may cause the Nth hook bend 56N of the Nth tensilehook 52N to matingly interlock with the loop end 60 of the Nth tensileclip 58N that is secured to the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20.

Moreover, as described above, in some embodiments, an electrofusion pipefitting 38 may include multiple tubing cavities 46, for example, whenthe electrofusion pipe fitting 38 is an electrofusion midline pipefitting 38. In other words, in such embodiments, the depictedelectrofusion pipe fitting 38C may include another tubing cavity 46 inaddition to the depicted tubing cavity 46. In fact, in some suchembodiments, the other tubing cavity 46 of the electrofusion pipefitting 38C may be a mirror image of the depicted tubing cavity 46, forexample, to enable the same rotation of the electrofusion pipe fitting38C to simultaneously interlock a tensile hook 52 of the electrofusionpipe fitting 38C with a tensile clip 58, which is secured to pipesegment tubing 22 that is disposed within the depicted tubing cavity 46,as well as another tensile clip 58, which is secured to other pipesegment tubing 22 that is disposed within the other tubing cavity 46 ofthe electrofusion pipe fitting 38C.

In any case, as described above, matingly interlocking a tensile hook 52of an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 with a tensile clip 58 of a pipesegment 20 may facilitate transferring tensile force between theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38 and the pipe segment 20 vianon-electrofusion material. Additionally, as described above, thetensile clip 58 may be secured to the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20to facilitate transferring tensile force between one or morereinforcement layers 34 of the tubing 22 and the electrofusion pipefitting 38 via non-electrofusion material. In other words, in thismanner, the present disclosure provides techniques for implementing apipeline system 10 that includes an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 tofacilitate improving the tensile strength capacity (e.g., strength) ofthe pipeline system 10.

To help further illustrate, an example of a process 88 for implementinga pipeline system 10 with an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 is describedin FIG. 11. Generally, the process 88 includes implementing anelectrofusion pipe fitting with a tensile hook (process block 90) andsecuring a tensile clip to pipe segment tubing (process block 92).Additionally, the process 88 generally includes matingly interlockingthe tensile hook with the tensile clip (process block 94) andelectrofusing the pipe segment tubing to the electrofusion pipe fitting(process block 96).

Although described in a specific order, which corresponds with anembodiment of the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that theexample process 88 is merely intended to be illustrative andnon-limiting. In particular, in other embodiments, a process 88 forimplementing a pipeline system 10 with an electrofusion pipe fitting 38may include one or more additional process blocks and/or omit one ormore of the depicted process blocks. Additionally or alternatively, inother embodiments, one or more of the depicted process blocks may beperformed in a different order, for example, such that the tensile clip58 is secured to the pipe segment tubing 22 before the electrofusionpipe fitting 38 is implemented.

In any case, as described above, to facilitate improving tensilestrength of a pipeline system 10, an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 to bedeployed in the pipeline system 10 may be implemented to include one ormore tensile hooks 52. In other words, implementing the pipeline system10 may include implementing an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 with one ormore tensile hooks 52 (process block 90). In particular, as describedabove, a tensile hook 52 may be implemented such that it is partiallyembedded within electrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fitting38 and extends out from the electrofusion material into one or moretubing cavities 46 of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38.

To help further illustrate, an example of a process 98 for implementingan electrofusion pipe fitting 38 with a tensile hook 52 is described inFIG. 12. Generally, the process 98 includes implementing a tensile hook(process block 100) and implementing a heating wire (process block 102).Additionally, the process 98 includes implementing electrofusionmaterial around the tensile hook and the heating wire (process block104).

Although described in a specific order, which corresponds with anembodiment of the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that theexample process 98 is merely intended to be illustrative andnon-limiting. In particular, in other embodiments, a process 98 forimplementing an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 with a tensile hook 52 mayinclude one or more additional process blocks and/or omit one or more ofthe depicted process blocks. Additionally or alternatively, in otherembodiments, one or more of the depicted process blocks may be performedin a different order, for example, such that the heating wire 48 isimplemented before the tensile hook 52.

In any case, as described above, to facilitate improving tensilestrength (e.g., capacity) of a pipeline system 10 in which it isdeployed, an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may be implemented to includeone or more tensile hooks 52. As such, implementing the electrofusionpipe fitting 38 may include implementing one or more tensile hooks 52(process block 100). In particular, as described above, a tensile hook52 of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may be implemented to include ahook shaft 54 and one or more hook bends 56 that extend out from thehook shaft 54. Additionally, as described above, the tensile hook 52 maybe implemented using non-electrofusion material, such as metal.

Furthermore, as described above, to facilitate bonding electrofusionmaterial (e.g., plastic) of an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 withelectrofusion material of pipe segment tubing 22, the electrofusion pipefitting 38 may include one or more heating wires 48, for example, whichmay be electrically coupled to an electrical power source 40 via one ormore external wires (e.g., cables) 42. As such, implementing theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38 may include implementing one or moreheating wires 48 (process block 102). In particular, a heating wire 48of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may be implemented with anelectrically conductive material, such as metal, that produces heat whenelectrical power is supplied thereto.

Electrofusion material may then be implemented around the one or moretensile hooks 52 and the one or more heating wires 48 (process block104). In particular, as described above, the electrofusion material ofthe electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may be implemented to define a fittingbore 44 as well as one or more tubing cavities 46. Additionally, asdescribed above, a heating wire 48 may be embedded within theelectrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 and atensile hook 52 may include a hook shaft 54, which is embedded withinthe electrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38, and oneor more hook bends 56, which each extend out from the hook shaft 54within a corresponding tubing cavity 46. Furthermore, in someembodiments, the electrofusion material of the electrofusion pipefitting 38 may include one or more types of plastic, such ashigh-density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or raised temperature polyethylene(PE-RT).

Moreover, in some embodiments, the electrofusion material of theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38 may be implemented around the one or moretensile hooks 52 and the one or more heating wires 48 using anelectrofusion material (e.g., plastic) mold. In particular, in some suchembodiments, the electrofusion material may be implemented around theone or more tensile hooks 52 and the one or more heating wires 48 atleast in part by holding the one or more tensile hooks 52 and the one ormore heating wires 48 at corresponding target positions in theelectrofusion material mold (process block 106) and, subsequently,disposing (e.g., pouring) electrofusion material in the electrofusionmaterial mold (process block 108). In this manner, an electrofusion pipefitting 38 with one or more tensile hooks 52 may be implemented.

Returning to the process 88 of FIG. 11, to facilitate transferringtensile force between the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 and the tubing22 of a pipe segment 20 via non-electrofusion material (e.g., metal), asdescribed above, one or more tensile clips 58 may be secured to thetubing 22 of the pipe segment 20 (process block 92). In particular, asdescribed above, a tensile clip 58 secured to the tubing 22 of the pipesegment 20 may be implemented with non-electrofusion material, such asmetal. Additionally, as described above, the tensile clip 58 may besecured around and, thus, grab onto one or more reinforcement layers 34of the pipe segment tubing 22, which are implemented usingnon-electrofusion material.

To help further illustrate, an example of a process 110 for securing atensile clip 58 to pipe segment tubing 22 is described in FIG. 13.Generally, the process 110 includes implementing a tensile clip with aloop end and a clip leg (process block 112) and forming a clip openingin pipe segment tubing (process block 114). Additionally, the process110 generally includes inserting the clip leg of the tensile clip intothe clip opening in the pipe segment tubing (process block 116) andcircumferentially compressing the pipe segment tubing around the clipleg of the tensile clip (process block 118).

Although described in a specific order, which corresponds with anembodiment of the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that theexample process 110 is merely intended to be illustrative andnon-limiting. In particular, in other embodiments, a process 110 forsecuring a tensile clip 58 to pipe segment tubing 22 may include one ormore additional process blocks and/or omit one or more of the depictedprocess blocks. Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, oneor more of the depicted process blocks may be performed in a differentorder, for example, such that the clip opening 64 is formed in the pipesegment tubing 22 before the tensile clip 58 is implemented.

In any case, as described above, a tensile clip 58 to be secured to thetubing 22 of a pipe segment 20 may be implemented to include a loop end60 and one or more clip legs 62. In other words, securing a tensile clip58 to pipe segment tubing 22 may include implementing the tensile clip58 to include a loop end 60 and one or more clip legs 62 (process block112). In particular, as described above, the tensile clip 58 may beimplemented with non-electrofusion material, such as carbon steel,stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, super duplex stainless steel,and/or another type of metal.

Additionally, as described above, in some embodiments, the tensile clip58 to be secured to the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20 may beimplemented to generally match the tensile clip 58 of FIG. 6. In otherembodiments, the tensile clip 58 to be secured to the tubing 22 of thepipe segment 20 may be implemented to generally match the serratedtensile clip 66 of FIG. 7. In still further embodiments, the tensileclip 58 to be secured to the tubing 22 of the pipe segment 20 may beimplemented to generally match the vent assurance tensile clip 74 ofFIG. 8.

In any case, as described above, a tensile clip 58 may be secured topipe segment tubing 22 at least in part by securing a clip leg 62 of thetensile clip 58 in a clip opening 64 formed in the pipe segment tubing22. As such, to facilitate securing the tensile clip 58 to the pipesegment tubing 22, one or more clip openings 64 may be formed (e.g.,drilled) in the pipe segment tubing 22 (process block 114) and one ormore corresponding clip legs 62 of the tensile clip 58 may be insertedinto the one or more clip openings 64 (process block 116). For example,a first clip opening 64A may be implemented in the inner barrier layer26 of the pipe segment tubing 22, a first clip leg 62A of the tensileclip 58 may be inserted into the first clip opening 64A, a second clipopening 64B may be implemented in the outer barrier layer 28 of the pipesegment tubing 22, and a second clip leg 62B of the tensile clip 58 maybe inserted into the second clip opening 64B.

The pipe segment tubing 22 may then be circumferentially compressedaround one or more clip legs 62 of the tensile clip 58 to facilitatesecuring the tensile clip 58 to the pipe segment tubing 22, for example,to facilitate producing an interference (e.g., press and/or friction)fit between the pipe segment tubing 22 and the one or more clip legs 62of the tensile clip 58 (process block 118). In fact, as described above,in some embodiments, special-purpose deployment equipment 76 may beimplemented and/or operated to circumferentially compress pipe segmenttubing 22 (process block 120). In particular, in such embodiments, abacking cylinder 78 of the special-purpose deployment equipment 76 maybe inserted into a pipe bore 32 defined by the pipe segment tubing 22and one or more actuators 80 of the special-purpose deployment equipment76 may be operated to drive their actuator pistons 82 toward the backingcylinder 78, thereby circumferentially compressing the pipe segmenttubing 22 between the backing cylinder 78 and the actuator pistons 82 ofthe special-purpose deployment equipment 76. In this manner, one or moretensile clips 58 may be secured to the tubing 22 of a pipe segment 20.

Returning to the process 88 of FIG. 11, the one or more tensile clips 58secured to the pipe segment tubing 22 may then be matingly interlockedwith corresponding tensile hooks 62 of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38(process block 94). In particular, as described above, to facilitatematingly interlocking a tensile clip 58 that is secured to the pipesegment tubing 22 with a tensile hook 62 of the electrofusion pipefitting 38, in some embodiments, the tensile clip 58 and the pipesegment tubing 22 may be inserted into a corresponding tubing cavity 46of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 such that the loop end 60 of thetensile clip 58 is between a hook bend 56 of a corresponding tensilehook 52 and the hook shaft 54 of another tensile hook 52 that isadjacent the corresponding tensile hook 52 (process block 122). Afterthe tensile clip 58 and the pipe segment tubing 22 have been inserted,in such embodiments, the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may then berotated relative to the tensile clip 58 and the pipe segment tubing 22,for example, such that the hook bend 56 of the tensile hook 52 matinglyinterlocks with the loop end 60 of the tensile clip 58 (process block124).

To facilitate maintaining the interlocking between a tensile clip 58secured to the pipe segment tubing 22 and a corresponding tensile hook62 of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38, the pipe segment tubing 22 maythen be electrofused to the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 (process block96). As described above, electrofusing the pipe segment tubing 22 to theelectrofusion pipe fitting 38 may include bonding electrofusion materialin the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 with electrofusion material in thepipe segment tubing 22. In particular, as described above, heat may beapplied to melt the electrofusion material in the electrofusion pipefitting 38 and/or the electrofusion material in the pipe segment tubing22 such that they bond together once the heat is removed.

To facilitate selectively applying heat, as described above, in someembodiments, an electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may include one or moreheating wires 48, which are embedded within electrofusion material ofthe electrofusion pipe fitting 38, for example, such that they areproximate to one or more tubing cavities 46 of the electrofusion pipefitting 38. Additionally, as described above, in such embodiments, aheating wire 48 of the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 may be electricallycoupled to an electrical power source 40 via one or more external wires(e.g., cables) 42. In other words, in such embodiments, electrofusingthe pipe segment tubing 22 to the electrofusion pipe fitting 38 mayinclude supplying electrical power to one or more heating wires 48implemented in the electrofusion pipe fitting 38, for example, via theelectrical power source 40 (process block 126). In this manner, thetechniques described in the present disclosure may facilitate improvingtensile capacity of a pipeline system in which an electrofusion pipefitting is deployed, which, at least in some instances, may facilitateimproving operational efficiency and/or operational reliability of thepipeline system, for example, at least in part by reducing thelikelihood that tensile force exerted on the pipeline system causes theelectrofusion pipe fitting to disconnect from a pipe segment securedthereto.

While the present disclosure has been described with respect to alimited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefitof this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may bedevised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure asdescribed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should belimited only by the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pipeline system comprising: a pipe segment thatcomprises: tubing, wherein the tubing comprises an inner barrier layerthat defines a pipe bore, a reinforcement layer implemented around theinner barrier layer to define a fluid conduit within the tubing, and anouter barrier layer implemented around the reinforcement layer; and atensile clip secured to the tubing such that clip legs of the tensileclip are secured around the reinforcement layer of the tubing; and apipe fitting that comprises: electrofusion material implemented todefine a fitting bore and a tubing cavity in which the tubing of thepipe segment is to be secured; and a tensile hook partially embeddedwithin the electrofusion material such that a hook bend of the tensilehook extends into the tubing cavity, wherein the hook bend of thetensile hook is configured to matingly interlock with a loop end of thetensile clip that is secured to the tubing of the pipe segment tofacilitate transferring tensile force between the reinforcement layer ofthe tubing and the pipe fitting.
 2. The pipeline system of claim 1,wherein: the inner barrier layer and the outer barrier layer of thetubing are each implemented using plastic; the electrofusion material ofthe pipe fitting comprises plastic; and the tensile clip secured to thetubing of the pipe segment, the reinforcement layer in the tubing of thepipe segment, and the tensile hook of the pipe fitting are eachimplemented using metal.
 3. The pipeline system of claim 1, wherein theelectrofusion material of the pipe fitting is configured to be bonded tothe inner barrier layer of the tubing, the outer barrier layer of thetubing, or both to facilitate maintaining the hook bend of the tensilehook matingly interlocked with the loop end of the tensile clip that issecured to the tubing of the pipe segment.
 4. The pipeline system ofclaim 1, wherein the pipe fitting comprises a heating wire embeddedwithin the electrofusion material of the pipe fitting.
 5. The pipelinesystem of claim 1, wherein one or more of the clip legs of the tensileclip comprise teeth that extend out therefrom.
 6. The pipeline system ofclaim 1, wherein the tensile clip comprises a guide bar that extendsbetween the clip legs of the tensile clip.
 7. The pipeline system ofclaim 1, wherein: the tubing of the pipe segment comprises a first clipopening implemented in the inner barrier layer of the tubing and asecond clip opening implemented in the outer barrier layer of thetubing; and the tensile clip comprises a first clip leg configured to besecured in the first clip opening and a second clip leg configured to besecured in the second clip opening.
 8. The pipeline system of claim 1,wherein: the pipe segment tubing comprises another tensile clip securedto the tubing such that other clip legs of the other tensile clip aresecured around the reinforcement layer of the tubing; and the pipefitting comprises another tensile hook partially embedded within theelectrofusion material such that another hook bend of the other tensilehook extends into the tubing cavity, wherein the other hook bend of theother tensile hook is configured to matingly interlock with another loopend of the other tensile clip that is secured to the tubing of the pipesegment to facilitate transferring tensile force between thereinforcement layer of the tubing and the pipe fitting.
 9. The pipelinesystem of claim 1, comprising another pipe segment that comprises: othertubing, wherein the other tubing comprises another inner barrier layerthat defines another pipe bore, another reinforcement layer implementedaround the other inner barrier layer, and another outer barrier layerimplemented around the other reinforcement layer; and another tensileclip secured to the other tubing of the other pipe segment such thatother clip legs of the other tensile clip are secured around the otherreinforcement layer of the other tubing, wherein: the electrofusionmaterial of the pipe fitting is implemented to define another tubingcavity in which the other tubing of the other pipe segment is to besecured; the tensile hook of the pipe fitting is embedded within theelectrofusion material such that another hook bend of the tensile hookextends into the other tubing cavity; and the other hook bend of thetensile hook is configured to matingly interlock with another loop endof the other tensile clip that is secured to the other tubing of theother pipe segment to facilitate transferring tensile force between thereinforcement layer of the tubing and the other reinforcement layer ofthe other tubing.
 10. The pipeline system of claim 1, wherein: thetensile clip is configured to be secured to the tubing of the pipesegment at least in part by circumferentially compressing the tubingaround the clip legs of the tensile clip such that the clip legs grabonto the reinforcement layer in the tubing of the pipe segment; and thehook bend of the tensile hook is configured to matingly interlock withthe loop end of the tensile clip at least in part by: inserting thetubing and the tensile clip of the pipe segment into the tubing cavityof the pipe fitting; and rotating the pipe fitting relative to the pipesegment.
 11. A method of implementing a pipeline system comprising:securing a tensile clip to tubing of a pipe segment that comprises areinforcement layer implemented between an inner barrier layer of thetubing and an outer barrier layer of the tubing at least in part by:inserting clip legs of the tensile clip into corresponding clip openingsin the tubing of the pipe segment; and circumferentially compressing thetubing of the pipe segment around the clip legs of the tensile clip toenable the clip legs of the tensile clip to grab onto the reinforcementlayer in the tubing of the pipe segment; inserting the tensile clip andthe tubing of the pipe segment into a tubing cavity of a pipe fittingthat is defined by electrofusion material of the pipe fitting, whereinthe pipe fitting comprises a tensile hook that extends out from theelectrofusion material into the tubing cavity; and rotating the pipefitting relative to the pipe segment such that the tensile hook of thepipe fitting matingly interlocks with the tensile clip that is securedto the tubing of the pipe segment to facilitate transferring tensileforce between the pipe segment and the pipe fitting usingnon-electrofusion material.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereincircumferentially compressing the tubing of the pipe segment comprises:inserting a backing cylinder of special-purpose deployment equipment atleast partially into a pipe bore defined by the tubing of the pipesegment; and operating an actuator of the special-purpose deploymentequipment to compress the tubing of the pipe segment between an actuatorpiston of the actuator and the backing cylinder of the special-purposedeployment equipment.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein inserting theclip legs of the tensile clip into corresponding clip openingscomprises: inserting a first clip leg of the tensile clip into a firstclip opening that is implemented in the inner barrier layer of thetubing; and inserting a second clip leg of the tensile clip into asecond clip opening that is implemented in the outer barrier layer ofthe tubing.
 14. The method of claim 11, comprising securing anothertensile clip to the tubing of the pipe segment at least in part by:inserting other clip legs of the other tensile clip into correspondingclip openings in the tubing of the pipe segment; and circumferentiallycompressing the tubing of the pipe segment around the other clip legs ofthe other tensile clip to enable the other clip legs of the othertensile clip to grab onto the reinforcement layer in the tubing of thepipe segment, wherein: inserting the tensile clip and the tubing of thepipe segment into the tubing cavity comprises inserting the othertensile clip into the tubing cavity, wherein the pipe fitting comprisesanother tensile hook that extends out from the electrofusion materialinto the tubing cavity; and rotating the pipe fitting relative to thepipe segment comprises rotating the pipe fitting relative to the pipesegment such that the other tensile hook of the pipe fitting matinglyinterlocks with the other tensile clip that is secured to the tubing ofthe pipe segment to facilitate transferring tensile force between thepipe fitting and the pipe segment.
 15. The method of claim 11,comprising: securing another tensile clip to other tubing of anotherpipe segment that comprises another reinforcement layer implementedbetween another inner barrier layer of the other tubing and anotherouter barrier layer of the other tubing at least in part by: insertingother clip legs of the tensile clip into corresponding clip openings inthe other tubing of the other pipe segment; and circumferentiallycompressing the other tubing of the other pipe segment around the otherclip legs of the other tensile clip to enable the other clip legs of theother tensile clip to grab onto the other reinforcement layer in theother tubing of the other pipe segment; and inserting the other tensileclip and the other tubing of the other pipe segment into another tubingcavity of the pipe fitting that is defined by the electrofusion materialof the pipe fitting, wherein: the tensile hook of the pipe fittingextends out from the electrofusion material into the tubing cavity andinto the other tubing cavity; and rotating the pipe fitting relative tothe pipe segment comprises rotating the pipe fitting relative to theother pipe segment such that the tensile hook of the pipe fittingmatingly interlocks with the other tensile clip that is secured to theother tubing of the other pipe segment to facilitate transferringtensile force between the pipe segment and the other pipe segment. 16.An electrofusion pipe fitting comprising: a tubing cavity in whichtubing of a pipe segment is to be secured, wherein the tubing cavity isdefined using electrofusion material; and a tensile hook, wherein thetensile hook comprises: a hook shaft that is at least partially embeddedwithin the electrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fitting; anda hook bend that extends out from the hook shaft within the tubingcavity of the electrofusion pipe fitting, wherein the hook bend isconfigured to matingly interlock with a loop end of a tensile clip thatis secured around one or more reinforcement layers of the tubing of thepipe segment to facilitate transferring tensile force between theelectrofusion pipe fitting and the pipe segment via the tensile clipthat is secured to the tubing of the pipe segment and the tensile hookof the electrofusion pipe fitting.
 17. The electrofusion pipe fitting ofclaim 16, comprising a heating wire embedded within the electrofusionmaterial of the electrofusion pipe fitting, wherein the heating wire isconfigured to facilitate bonding the electrofusion material of theelectrofusion pipe fitting with an inner barrier layer in the tubing ofthe pipe segment, an outer barrier layer in the tubing of the pipesegment, or both.
 18. The electrofusion pipe fitting of claim 16,wherein: the electrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fittingcomprises plastic; and the tensile hook of the electrofusion pipefitting comprises metal.
 19. The electrofusion pipe fitting of claim 16,comprising another a tensile hook, wherein the other tensile hookcomprises: another hook shaft that is at least partially embedded withinthe electrofusion material of the electrofusion pipe fitting; andanother hook bend that extends out from the other hook shaft within thetubing cavity of the electrofusion pipe fitting, wherein the other hookbend is configured to matingly interlock with another loop end ofanother tensile clip that is secured around the one or morereinforcement layers of the tubing of the pipe segment to facilitatetransferring tensile force between the electrofusion pipe fitting andthe pipe segment via the other tensile clip that is secured to thetubing of the pipe segment and the other tensile hook of theelectrofusion pipe fitting.
 20. The electrofusion pipe fitting of claim16, comprising another tubing cavity in which other tubing of anotherpipe segment is to be secured, wherein: the other tubing cavity isdefined using the electrofusion material; and the tensile hook comprisesanother hook bend that extends out from the hook shaft within the othertubing cavity of the electrofusion pipe fitting, wherein the other hookbend is configured to matingly interlock with another loop end ofanother tensile clip that is secured around the one or morereinforcement layers of the tubing of the pipe segment to facilitatetransferring tensile force between the pipe segment and the other pipesegment via the tensile clip that is secured to the tubing of the pipesegment, the tensile hook of the electrofusion pipe fitting, and theother tensile clip that is secured to the other tubing of the other pipesegment.